Donovan played for Genève-Servette HC in the Swiss Nationalliga A during the 2004–05 lockout, and returned to the Flames for the 2005–06 season. On July 2, 2006, Donovan was then signed by the Boston Bruins as a free agent to a two-year deal,[3] with the intention of bringing more speed and energy to the Bruins.[4]

At the conclusion of the 2006–07 season, on July 17, 2007, Donovan was traded by the Bruins to the Ottawa Senators for Peter Schaefer.[5]

Donovan played for the Senators until the end of the 2009–10 season, when he became an unrestricted free agent. He was unable to attract NHL interest before the start of the 2010–11 season. In November Anaheim Ducks were looking for a veteran player and they wanted him try out with the Syracuse Crunch.[6] November 1, 2010, he signed a professional try-out contract with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL).[7] However a little under a week later and still to make an appearance with the Crunch, Donovan decided to walk away from his try-out to return home on November 7.[8] Donovan claimed that he was missing his family, his home in Ottawa and decided to retire from professional hockey.[1]